Morning Skincare Update

Recently I have started trying other skin care products, not to replace my routine, but to add to it.  Since I last wrote a blog about my skincare, I have added a couple of products to help my skin through the winter, which is something I haven’t done in the past.  As I have oily/combination skin I have always thought I just need to use products to remove oil and matify my skin as much as possible.  I have completely ignored the need for more moisture and have just left that to my moisturiser choice.

I’ve been a fan of laying skincare for a while and tend to find that products that are ‘all in one’ upset my skin so using different products seem to work on my skin.

Having read a blog by the amazing Caroline Hirons Cheat Sheet on skincare it made so much sense and showed me in what order I should be using products and where new items can fit into what I already use.

This is my current routine:

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  1.  Cleanser – Although I am still using the 3-step system from Clinique, I have chosen to use the Estee Lauder Perfectly Clean cleanser…just because I feel it cleans my skin better than the Clinique one.   This is a foaming cleanser (which according to Caroline Hirons isn’t the one to use) but I do find it doesn’t foam up much and doesn’t dry my skin out.
  2. Exfoliating Toner – Liquid Exfoliant by Clinique Step 2 which is designed for my skin type.   It helps to get rid of dead skin cells and clarify the skin.
  3. I have added a product in here now that I know this is the step to use it at!  Rodial Dragon’s Blood Hyaluronic mist….I LOVE this!    #MAKEUPMUSTHAVESCHALLENGE DAY 13 – Skincare! is a blog a wrote with more information on this product but when I spray this over the top of the cleanser and exfoliating toner my skin feels amazing.  Even without any further products on top, at this stage, my skin feels so soft to touch and if I can say this about my skin…it feels ‘awake’.  This is staying in my routine!  This can also be used under or on top of makeup or during the day so it’s a versatile moisture spritz.
  4. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel – this is a step I will probably drop when this runs out as I don’t feel I need to use both Rodial Dragons Blood and this.  That said, as it is winter and my skin isn’t freaking out by using both, I am continuing to add this moisturiser in.  Once it runs out, I think I will be moving away from the Clinique 3 step and missing this step completely.
  5. Estee Lauder Clear Difference Serum.  This is based on Salicylic Acid and helps to treat blemishes as well as prevent future ones.
  6. All About Eyes…I have used this highly moisturising yet refreshing eye gel-creme for a while now and I love it.  It hydrates under my eyes and as it can be used over the whole eye area I find it particularly good when I’ve been wearing a lot of eye makeup and my lids feel dry…this is a great little product.  It doesn’t interfere with makeup or under-eye concealer which I have found some products do.  I will be trying a new eye cream soon however so watch this space 🙂
  7. Moisture Surge…..I keep looking at moisturisers that are good for anti-ageing and so on but I can’t switch!  This moisturiser is a really lightweight yet highly moisturising gel that applies easily and doesn’t affect my makeup (not in any bad way anyway!).
  8. Lip Balm…I am using the Forever Living SPF lip balm at the moment which is great.  I do find that lipbalms sometimes work in the opposite way and actually dry my lips out more but this one doesn’t.
  9. UltraSun SPF 30… see 25 DAYS OF BLOGGING – COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS, Day 7 for my initial impression of this.  I am still using it – unless I know I am not going out of the house but I try to use this as often as possible as I really do need to focus more on skin protection rather than treating damage.    SPF is quite a vital component to anti-ageing.  (As are retinols however I am still in the process of researching these!)

So that is my current routine – which to be honest, may well change…and so it should.  Skin changes all of the time with many factors to consider.  Time of year and seasonal changes, food and diet changes (I know if I hit the crisps I will pay for it via my skin!), hormonal fluctuations..as I’ve mentioned previously, I suffer with PCOS so acne on my chin can suddenly be awful…other times not so much and so on.  Also, regardless of blogs and expert opinions, that’s exactly what they are….opinions….do what works for you!

As I said in my previous skin care post….something to note about all of this is that one of the best things you can do for your skin (and body) in general is to drink plenty of water! Dehydrated skin is different to dry skin….it needs more water!

I am still looking into other serums and products by ‘The Ordinary’ at the moment so if anyone has tried the brand and has any recommendations, let me know in the comments below!

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20 thoughts on “Morning Skincare Update”

  3. blackcoffeebreakfast says:
    Reply

    I loved reading this post, I’m somewhat of a skincare junkie myself and am currently hoarding more than enough products! I’ve always been intrigued by Clinique products but have never been convinced to make the purchase – would you say they’re good value for money?
    – Elen x
    blackcoffeebreakfast.wordpress.com

    Liked by 1 person

    • Beauty and The Ballroom says:
      Reply

      Hey, thanks for reading. Personally I like the simplicity of Clinique skin care. Value for money…yes if you like premium brands. They last me a while, I prefer Estée Lauder for serums but I think in terms of how long they last they’re worth the money. If you’re thinking of trying the 3 step, I bought a travel set first which was about £20 and enough to last a couple of weeks so gives you time to really decide if you like it. Hope that helps. I’ll be posting about my night time skincare routine tomorrow with some different products 😛 xx

      Liked by 1 person

  4. sarahscupofbeauty says:
    Reply

    Yes, taking care of your skin is taking care of yourself inside out… I’d need to try that moisture surge eye cream from Clinique soon… That is, when I finish my brand new little eye cream jar haha (in say 3 months or more)… Thx for sharing. xoxo Sarah

    Liked by 1 person

  7. xoJenny says:
    Reply

    You use some of great products/brands! I hear glorious things about cliniques skincare line. I used to work in Macy’s at the Lancome counter but would always sneak over the the clinque counter and my coworker would always give me samples of some of their products. But the 3 step cleansing products were by far my favorite and I had the best results from them!

    xo, JJ

    Liked by 1 person

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